Why Paint on a Wooden Palette?
A wooden palette is lightweight and strong, with smooth surfaces. It also has a warm tone that helps painters to perceive colors accurately when painting.
To seal a palette made of wood make use of boiled linseed oil as well as an lint-free rag, or a high quality paper towel. Rub the oil on the the wood palette. Repeat daily, front and back.
Wooden Palettes for Oil Painters
Oil paints are available when you work with a wooden palette. This makes it easier to mix colors and move them across the surface of your canvas or board. It's also a great method to keep your brushes at the ready. I've discovered that using a palette of this sort can reduce the amount of time I'm turning my body to grab and reload my brushes. I've also noticed that it improves my accuracy and consistency.
You can purchase wooden palettes that have been stained and sealed to resist water and standard artist solvents or purchase them unfinished and stain them yourself. When working with raw wood you will want to seal it before you start painting - this will make it less adsorbent of the oils used in your oil paints. To do this simply pour a small amount oil from linseed onto your palette and then rub it in using a lint free cloth until it's fully saturated. Then, wipe off any excess and your palette is now ready to use.
I prefer to tone the linseed prior to using it by adding a few drops to a brown medium like burnt sienna (or yellow ochre). This helps me see the shadows I'll be creating in my paintings and it also allows me to visualize how the colors will appear against the wood. Tone can also help me to differentiate between light and dark values in my paintings.
As time passes, a well-used wooden pallet will develop a gorgeous patina. It will get more opaque and smooth thanks to the oil you used in your paints staining it a bit and the pigments merging together to form a varnish-like coating. It's gorgeous to see.
pallet buying prefer to apply an acrylic sealer with a clear finish on their wooden palettes - it will protect the wood and give it a beautiful shine. I prefer the old method of applying multiple thin layers of linseed oils. It takes a little longer than using polyurethane but it's worth the wait since you can apply a coat each time you clean your palette, and it will only improve over time.
Wooden Palettes for Acrylic Painters
A wooden palette is a popular option for acrylic and oil painting. It offers a wide solid surface that is resistant to pigment absorption and promotes optimal color mixing. After each use, a quick wipe with paper towels or a cloth will make cleanup easy. The majority of stores selling arts and crafts carry wooden palettes, which are affordable.
There are a variety of options for acrylic painters today. Plastic palettes are a light option that is resistant to damage from solvents and also have a non-stick coating. They can be cleaned using warm soapy tap water and are suitable for acrylics, as well as other materials. They are generally available in several sizes with deep wells for color mixing.
Another popular option for acrylic painting is a styrofoam or paper plate. They are inexpensive and disposable so they can be used for a single painting session, making them an ideal solution for plein air painting. However, they could absorb paint, which can make it difficult to clean.
A piece of sanded lumber such as pine or spruce with a thumbhole, is one of the best options for creating an acrylic paint palette that is permanent. This lets the artist hold the palette with the thumb in the hole, leaving the other fingers free for holding brushes and the mahlstick. The thumb hole helps keep fingers from getting too dirty when using the palette.
Some painters make their own wooden palettes using household items. An old plastic or aluminum foil-covered dish is an excellent place to begin. You can also pick up old glass or ceramic dishes. You can find them at yard sales and in thrift shops. They are typically gorgeous. You can also try an tin foil piece that will ward off the absorption of paint and be very easy to clean.
A popular alternative to a DIY palette is a plastic stay-wet palette. They're basically a plastic box with a tight lid. You dampen a sponge with water and place it at the bottom of the box. Then, you place the special paper the top to keep the paint wet. The box can be closed and keep the sponge and paper moist for days. You can always add water to the palette when the paper gets dry.
Wooden Palettes for watercolor artists
If you're painting with oil paints or watercolors using the wooden palette is the best option. These palettes are lightweight compared to other alternatives, including glass and paper and are sturdy enough to make it easy to handle. These palettes have interior cutouts for your thumb and other fingers. This makes them easy to hold for long periods. They are finished with a satin that allows paint to be applied without being absorbed. They are also easily cleaned and are durable for years of use.
The wooden palette was among the earliest mixing surfaces utilized by artists. They are an essential element in many studios. They have an elegant and professional appearance and are ideal for mixing oils, alkyds, and acrylics. In addition, they are often produced using sustainable forestry practices. In this way, using a wooden palette can be an environmentally responsible option for the contemporary artist.
Regular cleaning and re-oiling is essential to the longevity of a wooden pallet. A reapplication of linseed oil or a wood conditioner that is specially designed can help to prevent excessive absorption and extend the life of the palette. Re-oiling is as easy as pouring oil in the middle of the palette, and wiping it off with a lint free cloth.
Some artists opt to personalize wooden palettes by adding initials or decorative elements. This is a great method to make your palette feel like part of your art and give a sense of history to your tool. Some of these palettes are customizable with lids that lock into the correct position. This is a great feature to use when traveling.
Instagram has also contributed to the popularity of wooden palettes. Artists upload photos of their stunningly-arranged palettes on Instagram to inspire others. These visual cues serve as a good reminder that painting with a wooden palette can be a satisfying and artistically satisfying experience. If you continue to paint with your wooden palette, it'll become a favorite piece of equipment that reminds you of your journey to creativity.
Wooden Palettes for Mixed Media Painters
When we think of a palette to paint the first thing that comes to mind is a wooden one that was used by masters of the past. These palettes, though used by some artists are not suitable for watercolours or acrylics because of their porous surfaces. A new palette for painting was invented to solve this issue. The new palettes are constructed of tempered glass, which is extremely robust and won't break should you drop it. They're also available in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that is comfortable to hold and fits into your hand while working.
These new palettes, called "stay-wet" palettes, keep your paints moist and usable for a long time after you have completed painting. To prepare a "stay wet" palette, put your preferred oil painting medium on the back of the palette. Rub it into the wood until the paint looks tacky (like butter). Use a towel to wash away any excess oil, and ensure that you get into all grooves of the wood grain. This process, known as seasoning, allows the palette to keep pigment and oil while allowing brush hairs to pass through easily.
Drying oils like linseed or walnut can be used to make a wooden palette. Apply this guy using a rag to the surface. This will help to protect the wooden surface and make it impervious to solvents and water. This will also stop the paint from sticking to the surface of your palette when it is wet.
Some artists prefer using disposable palettes like paper plates or styrofoam cups. This is a good choice because it doesn't absorb paint as much, and it's easy-to-clean. However, I'd rather to use an old-fashioned wooden palette since it's more durable and feels more comfortable in my hands. I love the idea of preserving the tradition of the older masters.